What Advice Would You Give to a New SP Member?

Posts: 11,488
1/6/06 11:11 P

Well I'm not an experienced member yet, but still being fairly new, I remember the things that were most beneficial when I joined and what else I would like to have seen early on as a new member.

1. The meal/nutrition tracker is a fabulous tool. I think a little more specific guidance in how to use it would be helpful. For instance, how and when to use food groups, how to use your menu planner for grocery shopping, recommendations for individual nutrients and how they can be tracked, etc.

2. The "stage" emails that come every couple of days are terrific so I would really emphasize new members signing up for those. Also, a little more up front detail about the 4 stages and how they differ might be good for newbies and add to initial motivation.

3. Emphasize using the Resource Center. It is a great wealth of information on so many topics. And of course that along with that there are corresponding message boards where they can get even more information and support.

4. And finally and probably most importantly, that SP is not a diet, fad, or gimmick. It it is a support infostructure for members goals whether they be health, weightloss, or fitness.

Posts: 700
1/6/06 10:00 P

Track your food and fitness.
Think positive thoughts. Drop the negative phrases from your mind-set since what we think is what we become.
Involve yourself on the message boards. There is no better support than what we all give each other and it is very helpful in helping us reach our goals.

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1/6/06 3:53 P

(bump)

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Posts: 31
1/2/06 7:43 A

Wow! Thank you so much for this thread! I know that it will be great help to me!

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Posts: 18,753
1/1/06 4:16 P

-Know that if you formed habits that made you overweight and unfit; you Can also form habits that create the healthiest, fit you possible.
-Rejoice in the transition time it will take to create a supportive healthy lifestyle and know that you will find many rewards with every good choice you make.
-Read all the articles in the Resource Center
-Do drink lots of water and focus on having at least 5 servings of fruit/vegetables everyday
-Track your progress. I found that counting the consecutive days I stayed on track, took a walk, did the right choices made it far less tempting to break a streak. (The more consecutive days the less I wanted to break that streak; I numbered days on a calendar)
-Give-a-way/Dispose of all clothing that is bigger than your new size
-Begin each day with writing down five things you are grateful for as cultivating an attitude of gratitude crowds out any deprivation feelings
-Celebrate your increased mindful disciplines

Posts: 4,184
1/1/06 3:44 P

Drink water and track food/fitness!

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Posts: 3,593
1/1/06 12:30 P

Use all tools available on SP and find a buddy.

Posts: 192
1/1/06 7:46 A

track everything and drink a lot of water

Posts: 13
12/30/05 2:03 P

Track everything, food, exercise, water...it makes a difference. Plus use the tools available, recipes, message boards.

Posts: 6,192
12/30/05 2:00 P

Track
Track
Track
You never realize how much is going in your body until you put it down on paper.

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12/30/05 1:43 P

(bump)

Posts: 2,160
12/29/05 11:59 A

Be truthful and count every bite. Stick to the fitness plan. Shake it up and try new foods.

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12/29/05 11:36 A

Hello SP members-
With member rates literally exploding, we thought it'd be a good idea to create an article that we could link new members to. We're asking our experienced members, "What advice would you give to a new SP member?"

Your own advice could be featured (with your username) in this helpful article.

Thanks in advance!

Nicole